Royalton Elementary welcomes new staff

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September 19, 2013 at 5:42 pm

New teachers and staff members at Royalton Elementary are settling into their new positions as the school year gets under way. Pictured at orientation in August are (from left): Katie Boser, kindergarten; Holly Psych, paraprofessional; Kari Rohling, special education and reading support; Lisa Tasto, paraprofessional; Ann Marschel, kindergarten; Elizabeth Wateland, special education; Annalee VanDenheuvel, social worker and Alyssa Theis, speech pathologist. Not pictured are: Lindsey Seawell, Spanish; Becky Pekarek, assistant school secretary and April Burton, special education paraprofessional.

Bright colors and artwork make strong first impression on new teachers

Each new teacher at Royalton Elementary immediately noticed the displays of artwork all around the school building as they entered for the first time.

“I think it brings culture to the school and is a great way to display student talent,” said new Spanish instructor Lindsey Seawell.

But the atmosphere was about what was felt as well as what was seen.

“You will not walk past one staff member without a hello,” said new kindergarten teacher Katie Boser.

“There was a sense of peace and welcoming, without even having to speak with anyone,” said Ann Marschel, also a new kindergarten teacher. “I knew that if the school could present this type of feeling without even talking to anyone, there was something special happening here.”

Each of the new teachers grew up in either Morrison or Stearns county. They have all had previous teaching experience.

Seawell taught two years at Frazee-Vergas. She will be teaching Spanish to kindergarten, first grade and second grade students, in addition to Spanish I and Spanish II at the high school.

Boser grew up in Pierz and has taught Title I in Royalton.

Marschel grew up in Rockville and now lives in Rice. She taught for five years in Upsala.

New social worker Annalee VanDenheuvel is originally from Randall. She has been a social worker with the Big Lake and Little Falls school districts.

Kari Rohling will be working in Special Education and reading support. She taught for three years in St. Cloud before earning her Special Education license. This is her first year as a social worker.

Rohling and Seawell were inspired to become teachers by parents who taught. For Boser, it was several elementary teachers who beckoned her to follow in their footsteps.

Rohling, Boser and Seawell have pets. VanDenheuvel, Marschel and Rohling are married and have children. Seawell is engaged to be married next summer.

Marschel joins her husband, Michael, who already teaches second grade in Royalton.

Seawell is plowing new ground by teaching a foreign language to elementary students.

“The opportunity to teach both high school and elementary Spanish was incredibly intriguing,” she said. “I’m excited to pass on my passion for the Spanish language and culture to my students and watch them grow as Spanish speakers. I’m also excited to see my young elementary students retain and use the language.”

The teachers eagerly look forward to the coming school year.

“Since the very beginning I have been very welcomed by the wonderful staff at Royalton Elementary School,” Rohling said. “They have all been very supportive and helpful with transitioning into a new school.”

“One thing that drew me to Royalton was the collaboration between staff members,” Marschel said. “I love that the teachers are innovative and always learning. We are setting the foundation for lifelong learning.”

“I am beyond excited to start my first year as a kindergarten teacher,” Boser said. “I am looking forward to the excitement every day will bring and seeing the smile on a child’s face when they succeed.”